Michael Kuiper vs Tom Lawlor set for UFC on FUEL 9

A middleweight matchup between Dutch prospect Michael Kuiper (12-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and eight-time UFC veteran Tom Lawlor (8-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC) is the latest reported addition to April's UFC on FUEL TV 9 event.
Swedish website MMAnytt.se was the first outlet to report the new booking, though UFC officials have yet to confirm the contest.

The 23-year-old Kuiper fights for the third time in the octagon and looks to build on the strength of an impressive August 2012 TKO of Jared Hamman.

The judo black belt has struggled to return to action as he was expected to face Thiago Perpetuo at January's UFC on FX 7 event before the Brazilian was forced out and replaced by Caio Magalhaes. Unfortunately for Kuiper, Magalhaes also pulled out of the fight, and he was shifted into UFC on FOX 6 against Buddy Roberts. Shockingly, Roberts was also forced out and replaced by Josh Janousek. the promotional newcomer then subsequently withdrew from the fight, marking the fourth fighter to fall out of the matchup.

Meanwhile, Lawlor looks to rebound from a November split-decision loss to Francis Carmont at UFC 154. The always-colorful "Filthy Mauler" is now 2-4 over his past six appearances, though that stretch includes a 50-second "Knockout of the Night" win over Jason MacDonald.